About.com Rating



The adidas ClimaProof Storm Ultimate jacket is an ultra-waterproof jacket designed for the way golfers move. It's flexible and lightweight, helping golfers who wish to play through foul weather conditions.

Pros

• Fully weatherproof – wind, rain, snow
• Lightweight and foldable
• Made to accommodate the way golfers move
• Handsome look

Cons

• Available only in black at time of writing
• No internal or detachable insulation

Review: ClimaProof Ultimate Storm

Was anyone surprised by the collapse of the Metrodome roof in December 2010? Perhaps the football gods were sending a message: "Football is meant to be played outdoors."

Guess what? Golf is meant to be played outdoors, too. Which gets me to thinking about how many of us give in to the golf gods and head back to the clubhouse when anything more than a light sprinkle is forecast during our rounds. But adidas has introduced a model of outerwear for those who play golf in the only place it can be played – outdoors.

The first thing my playing partners and I (and even some others in the clubhouse) noticed about the adidas ClimaProof Storm Ultimate Jacket is that it's a very handsome piece of outerwear. The sleek lines of the jacket look great and seem to conform to the contours of one's body - even if you're not a flatbelly.

The weight of the ClimaProof Storm Ultimate is surprisingly light. It feels more like a windshirt than a weatherproof jacket. And this could be the only jacket you need since it is both windproof and waterproof.

This is an important feature that separates the Storm Ultimate from many other offerings in the market. Some jackets are windproof and water-resistant while others are waterproof, but breathability lets in some of the wind. The ClimaProof Storm Ultimate does it all.

All the background is nice, but how does the adidas ClimaProof Storm Ultimate jacket perform? Courtesy of Mother Nature, I had the opportunity to get out in some terrible weather to test the Ultimate.

In wind and light rain the jacket is a real champ; very easy to move in the rotary swing motion especially with "articulated elbows," as adidas calls them. Another feature I appreciated is the form-fitted rain collar. The benefit to the golfer is no entry for precipitation when standing over a tee shot or putt – even in a steady downpour. You can read all the technical stuff on the adidas website – just know that this baby does what it says!

My next session involved an almost extreme wintry mix of heavy, cold rain and gusting wind. I had a lot more trouble keeping visibility through my eyeglasses than I did staying dry. Again, no complaints, only compliments for the ClimaProof Storm Ultimate jacket. My choice of layers made a difference in the cold. I used moisture-wicking fabric in an athletic shirt and compression mock. With only those layers plus the Storm Ultimate I was able to stay warm, dry and mobile. That's a big difference from what I'm used to with other waterproof outerwear that can be bulky and heavy. The one improvement in the Storm Ultimate that I might suggest is a built-in thermal layer (on the other hand, another layer could be a drawback in warmer weather).

If technology has played a difference in keeping us comfortable in shorts, slacks and shirts, it can make a huge difference in whether you stay and play next time nasty weather hits the course. For all the logo shirts we buy when visiting a new course, it would be worth foregoing a few of those for the absolute function and fit of the adidas ClimaProof Storm Ultimate Jacket - even if it did debut with a pricy $275 tag.



Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.